Currently, some state employee can use taxpayer-funded vehicles for personal commuting to and from work. Last year the Parole Department spent more than $1 million to purchase over 60 new hybrid sedans during “the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression” that saw the state raise taxes and fees and take more handouts from the federal government so that Parole employees could “ride share” to and from work.

As a result of this questionable use of taxpayer funds, Rep. Kent Lambert and Sen. Bill Cadman sponsored legislation to curb the abuse. House Bill 10-1287, “Concerning the use of a state-owned motor vehicle for commuting purposes” passed both the House and Senate but could not escape Governor Bill Ritter’s veto pen.

In a letter to the House of Representatives, Ritter explains why:

the category of employees who are exempt from the reimbursement requirement is too narrow.  Under this bill, a large number of state employees who are required to use a state-owned vehicle as an essential tool for performing their jobs would be financially penalized.  As a result of imposing this financial burden, it would be harder to hire and retain employees in these positions that are vital to the health and safety of the public.

Vetoing this bill does not prevent DPA or other agency heads from continually reviewing the use of state vehicles for commuting purposes and modifying the program in a measured way.  But this bill, however well-intentioned, sweeps too broadly and at too great a cost to public safety and the efficient delivery of essential state services.

Accordingly, I have vetoed this bill.

The Governor is correct, vetoing HB 10-1287 “does not prevent DPA or other agency heads from continually reviewing the use of state vehicles for commuting purposes and modifying the program in a measured way.” Problem is agency heads aren’t doing their job, which is why Rep. Kent Lambert and Sen. Bill Cadman ran the legislation in the first place.

Another problem with the veto is that the estimated $3 million in cost saving will have to be found elsewhere in the budget.  After passage in the Senate, COST reported via the Colorado New Agency:

An honest and humorous comment came from Senator Pat Steadman, who “congratulated Cadman on getting his ‘lead balloon to fly.’” He wanted the estimated $3 million in savings to the state.

“I was scrounging through the sofa cushions looking for spare change for some long bill (budget) amendments and this is one of the places I was looking to – the savings in this bill.”

So state employees still get to enjoy a free ride, while taxpayers pick up the budget shortfall.